Here are a few more reactions from the authors and publishers who were named 2013 Cybils finalists on January 1st. Extra points to Andrew Karre for using the word "galavanting". See others in this post. Ursula Vernon, author of Dragonbreath, responded in a blog comment: "Oh, wow! That is so cool–thank you for letting me know!" Macmillan Kids | @MacKidsBooks: …
Author and Publisher Reactions to Being Cybils Finalists
We're seen a LOT of enthusiasm about the Cybils shortlists on blogs, Twitter, and Facebook over the past couple of days. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped to spread the word about our wonderful finalists. Here, we've selected some author and publisher reactions on Twitter and Facebook: Sarah Beth Durst | @SarahBethDurst: Happy New Year! Awakened to lovely …
The Ones that Got Away: Favorites that Didn’t Make the Shortlists
Our 2013 shortlists are fabulous. But, as is the case every year, some of our Round 1 panelists mourn the ones that got away. These are the titles that they loved, but that for one reason or another didn't make it onto the shortlists. So, if the finalists don't offer a sufficient number of reading suggestions for you, try these …
The 2013 Finalists
Happy Cybils New Year! Really, when all the confetti is swept up, the champagne bottles put in recycling, and your hangover nursed back to a semblance of sobriety, what else is there? Us, that’s what! We’re back again with another list of books that kept our panelists riveted through the holiday season. We sifted through more than 1,300 books and …
The Cybils Finalists Are Coming!
Good news! The Cybils shortlists will be announced the day after tomorrow, on New Year's Day! The shortlists are blogger-vetted, kid-friendly, well-written lists of 5 to 7 titles in all 11 categories (some with sub-categories). That means that a whole host of great book and app recommendations will be coming your way to start the new year. In the meantime, …
2013 Finalists: Young Adult Fiction
Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets Evan Roskos Houghton Mifflin Books for Children Nominated by: Jessica @ herlifewithbooks Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets hits a seldom-found sweet spot between artful prose and an honest, authentic teen voice. James struggles with depression, anxiety, and abusive parents. With his sister Jorie, one of his few confidants, out of the house, he …
2013 Finalists: Young Adult Non-Fiction
Breakfast on Mars and 37 Other Delectable Essays Roaring Brook Nominated by: Katy Manck (BooksYALove) Writing and reading essays usually evokes yawns. Forcing students to use the formal style of writing not only is boring but kills creativity. Breakfast on Mars takes the dreaded essay assignment and spins a fun, creative twist that is sure to inspire younger writers. Each essay …
2013 Finalists: Poetry
Follow Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems Marilyn Singer Dial Nominated by: Perogyo Marilyn Singer returns to the reverso, a poetic form she created, in Mirror, Mirror. The reverso is quite clever. First you read the poem from top to bottom. Then you flip it and read it from the bottom up. The reverso proves the old adage “there are …
2013 Finalists: Speculative Fiction: Elementary & Middle Grade
Jinx Sage Blackwood HarperCollins Nominated by: Brandy Painter Deep in the dangerous forest of the Urwald, a boy named Jinx grows up in the home of a mysterious magician. Though Jinx is no apprentice mage, magic runs deep in him. When the magician steals part of that away, Jinx, devastated and furious, runs away into the forest. With two other …
2013 Finalists: Speculative Fiction: Young Adult
Conjured Sarah Beth Durst Walker Books for Young Readers Nominated by: Leila Roy Conjured is a multiverse fantasy about a magician, a dark carnival of horrors and delights, a group of snarky, teenaged magic users, and a protagonist who is hugely powerful but also hugely vulnerable. It’s a cop story about a girl in witness protection. It’s a story about friendship and …